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Fish Styx
In Cod We Crust
The first picture is a type of bristle worm known as Hermodice Carunculata, or fire worm. You want that out of your tank. DO NOT USE YOUR HANDS, as those hair like structures on its body will inflict a serious amount of pain.
You can either grab it with tongs, or make a simple bottle trap. Just Google how to do so, as there is plenty of information about their construction on the internet. No need to add that here.
The other photos are of Aiptasia, yes. There are a number of commercially available products used to kill / control their spread, which is prolific If left unchecked. Injecting them with a simple kalk slurry using a syringe will do the trick.
For control of outbreaks, reefers use a variety of methods. Those being peppermint shrimp, matted filefish, and /or Berghia nudibranch. First, not all peppermint shrimp are created equal, and some, such as Lysmata bogessi, are not considered to be "reef safe". If you add these to your tank, ensure that you acquire Lysmata wurdemanni specifically. Second, matted filefish are hit or miss, and can develop a taste for coral polyps and/ or flesh. Finally, Berghia nudibranch are widely praised as the most effective means of eradicating Aiptasia. A few caveats: 1) their diet consists solely of the Nuisance anemone, and once depleted, they will starve to death; 2) they are expensive; and finally, 3) peppermint shrimp will likely eat them of added together into your tank.
As with anything, be responsible and ensure that your tank can support whatever specimen(s) you add.
I hope you found this information useful. Happy reefing!
You can either grab it with tongs, or make a simple bottle trap. Just Google how to do so, as there is plenty of information about their construction on the internet. No need to add that here.
The other photos are of Aiptasia, yes. There are a number of commercially available products used to kill / control their spread, which is prolific If left unchecked. Injecting them with a simple kalk slurry using a syringe will do the trick.
For control of outbreaks, reefers use a variety of methods. Those being peppermint shrimp, matted filefish, and /or Berghia nudibranch. First, not all peppermint shrimp are created equal, and some, such as Lysmata bogessi, are not considered to be "reef safe". If you add these to your tank, ensure that you acquire Lysmata wurdemanni specifically. Second, matted filefish are hit or miss, and can develop a taste for coral polyps and/ or flesh. Finally, Berghia nudibranch are widely praised as the most effective means of eradicating Aiptasia. A few caveats: 1) their diet consists solely of the Nuisance anemone, and once depleted, they will starve to death; 2) they are expensive; and finally, 3) peppermint shrimp will likely eat them of added together into your tank.
As with anything, be responsible and ensure that your tank can support whatever specimen(s) you add.
I hope you found this information useful. Happy reefing!
Last edited:
dnprall
Active Member
Thanks much.
For the worm, I was looking at this thread and I thought my picture looked more like the bristle worm than the fireworm. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-is-that-a-r2r-guide-to-common-new-tank-hitchhikers.443382/
In regards to the aiptasia, I wish I had thought it was something bad when it was very small, ugh.
Fish Styx
In Cod We Crust
Actually, you are correct, that is a regular bristleworm. I replied in haste, let's blame it on my old eyes...
dnprall
Active Member
No worries at all! I'm so very new to this hobby that I appreciate that you even took the time to reply.
I think I'm going to get some F-Aiptasia and try it out. I really don't want to add anymore fish or shrimp. Maybe nudibranches but they are not cheap and I don't think I have a really bad outbreak (however, now I bet I'll see them all over the place tomorrow morning, lol!).
Fish Styx
In Cod We Crust
No worries, dude. That's what this community is for. In general, if you see one, there are a bunch more that you can't see. Keep an eye out for more popping up.
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
Let's take a breath... How many aiptasia do you have? There are many varieties of these anemones and some rarely spread. I had 2 large ones in my tank for years and they never caused any trouble. They are only "bad" if you don't like them
dnprall
Active Member
In the picture, there are two in that area and what appears to be tiny ones at the bases. First noticed it when the tank was brand new back in early December 2022 and it's grown since then. I don't see any others.Let's take a breath... How many aiptasia do you have? There are many varieties of these anemones and some rarely spread. I had 2 large ones in my tank for years and they never caused any trouble. They are only "bad" if you don't like them
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
Can you remove that rock from the tank? If you choose to get rid of the aiptasia, it will be easier if you can do so outside of the tank. Personally, I've had luck with Aiptasia-x but any of the common products will work.
Or, if you do decide to remove the rock, you can always frag off the part with the aiptasia...
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
Then here's what I recommend, for the big one especially; attach a syringe to the applicator for the product you choose to use, put it close to the nem so it grabs it, and then (not in a burst but not too slowly) squirt the product into the nem until it kind of "poofs". Then -and this is important - before moving the applicator, pull back on the plunger and suck the nem into the syringe. (Do this even if there's no poof.) This way, even if you didn't completely kill it (big ones are tough), you will hopefully remove any remaining part from the tank. If you can't get all of the large one in the first attempt, that's ok. Just keep an eye on that spot and treat again if needed.
dnprall
Active Member
Sounds good. Hopefully can get to my LFS tomorrow. Thanks for your help.Then here's what I recommend, for the big one especially; attach a syringe to the applicator for the product you choose to use, put it close to the nem so it grabs it, and then (not in a burst but not too slowly) squirt the product into the nem until it kind of "poofs". Then -and this is important - before moving the applicator, pull back on the plunger and suck the nem into the syringe. (Do this even if there's no poof.) This way, even if you didn't completely kill it (big ones are tough), you will hopefully remove any remaining part from the tank. If you can't get all of the large one in the first attempt, that's ok. Just keep an eye on that spot and treat again if needed.
MAH
Community Member
If you already have a syringe you can use lemon juice. Push the needle into the mouth of the aiptasia and into the body and inject 5-10 ml.
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
A syringe is different from a needle. Unless it's a very small gauge needle, it will be difficult to manage since he can't pull the rock out... Trying to aim with a needle that will easily pierce the nem is not easy when you're reaching down to the bottom.
You are correct. Remove it with tweezers
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
That will be just as risky given the placement. Aiptasia-x, F-aiptasia, etc, are a better idea.
MAH
Community Member
I'm not sure I understand what you're disagreeing with? A longer needle actually makes it easier to see where you're aiming when you're trying to inject the anemone? Have you ever tried? I find it to be really easy to spot inject using a needle and syringe.
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
Do you understand what a small gauge needle is?
